Olympic organisers scratch heads over London traffic fears

Time trial and triathlon among four events that could cause major jams

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Organisers of the London 2012 Olympics are trying to figure out how to stage the time trial and triathlon events without causing major snarl-ups on London roads.

According to The Telegraph, both events will mean closing significant roads, which could lead to major jams if they’re held mid-week.

The cycling time trial is still likely to be held on the Wednesday in the first week, but may be moved outside of London where the road closures will not be as significant.

Asked whether specific routes have yet been decided, a London 2012 spokesperson told road.cc, “We are looking at where the course can provide maximum challenge to the athletes but create minimum impact on the city's workers given it will take place on a weekday.”

London organisers also want to have the triathlon held in the middle weekend of the Games to minimise the impact of shutting down major roads.

But with the swimming and track and field overlapping on that same weekend, the international broadcasters are keen to have other events scheduled on midweek days.

Gymnastics, which now has three nights of finals instead of the previous two nights is also caught up in the battle for the Saturday slot on that weekend There are also some issues with the canoe programme.

"There is still some work to do in some events and some of the events are still to be solved," International Olympic Committee executive director Gilbert Felli said. "We will seek the view of the broadcasters, the international federations and the IOC to resolve this."

Lifelong lover of most things cycling-related, from Moulton Mini adventures in the 70s to London bike messengering in the 80s, commuting in the 90s, mountain biking in the noughties and road cycling throughout. Editor of Simpson Magazine (www.simpsonmagazine.cc).

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thebongolian[47 posts]7 years ago

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Obviously they should use Richmond Park for the TT - would love to see how fast those guys can do a lap. But could be problems with getting lapped as you'd need to do at least three laps to make the distance